"Scott Hoying. Inmate number 941875. On the last year of his 6 year sentence. No infractions. Model inmate."

He sat in a bland room, handcuffed to his chair. In front of him, members of the prison staff. He had been waiting for this moment for 3 years. The official in charge of making the decision sat at the table in front of him.

"Mr. Hoying, It has come to our attention that you have requested placement in our work release program." She asked while pushing her glasses up her nose.

His accent thick when he answered, "yes ma'am."

"Are you aware that while it does not cut your time down, its purpose is to ensure you have the skills to make it outside these walls?"

"Yes ma'am."

Silence filled the room. She cleared her throat as she looked over the paperwork that sat in front of her. Scott felt like she was purposely prolonging the process. He was charged with armed robbery and attempted murder. He had his excuse. A high school drop out, single father of a son who at the time was a year old. The woman who gave birth to that son ran off 4 days after his birth. She claimed she was too young to be a mother.

Scott had always lived on the slightly dangerous side of life. His mother was a recovering alcoholic and his father had been in prison since he could remember. He doesn't really remember him. He promised her he would not follow in his father's footsteps but when his son needed diapers and food, the streets came calling.

He held up a gas station. Scoped it for weeks and when the time seemed right, he hit it. Unfortunately he didn't plan on the worker hitting the silent alarm. He shot him once in the stomach on accident, scared when he heard sirens in the distance. Luckily he didn't die, Scott wouldn't have been able to live with himself.

Once he was sentenced, he made sure he wouldn't do anything to prolong his release. He kept to himself and for 5 years refrained from making friends. He overheard his neighbor in the cell next to him talking about the work release program. With a little probing, he had all the information he needed.

"Mr. Hoying, the victim in your case has repeatedly requested your release. He felt that at the time you were desperate and needed the money. You had never been in trouble before then and you haven't been in trouble since then. If we approve your request, please understand that others in this prison will be watching you. You'll represent freedom. Do not be surprised if you become targeted."

"I understand, ma'am."

"Great! Now Mr. Hoying, it is with great pleasure that I approve your request. Keep being a good man. You can make it, Scott. This is your chance."

:::::::

"Hoying?!"

"Here, sir!"

He was on a bus bound for freedom. His seat mate was a dark skinned man with a super short cut and glasses. The pink jump suit shining brightly against his skin. He leaned over and offered his hand in greeting.

"Olusola. First name is Kevin but everybody calls me Preacher."

"Scott," he answered shaking his hand. Kevin pointed to the two guys in front of him. "That's 'Kap' and 'Youngin'."

The long haired man in front of them nodded his head at Scott in greeting. "Real name's Avi Kaplan but that's what every body calls me." He patted the guy next to him on back. "This here is Matt. He's younger than all of us hence the name."

Scott, trying desperately to keep the lure of the quiet giant said only one word, "cool."

"Um, we'll call you 'Blue'. Your eyes keep sparkle every time the sun hits them." Kevin said, sitting back and cleaning his glasses.

Scott nodded his head. He wanted to ask the question burning in his mind. They didn't tell him where he was being placed. He wanted to work at the poultry factory in town. He heard they pay the most. Inmates didn't get to choose but if they did, it would certainly be a line half way to Houston in front of the building. He cleared his throat. "Um... Where are we going?"

Matt turned slightly to look at Scott and asked, "you allergic to bees?"

"No."

"Good. We're going to the Grassis' Family Farm."

Scott looked at him puzzled, "huh?"

"They known state wide. Apples, grapes, corn, other stuff but they are known for their honey. That's where Preacher works. They have an opening or had one at least. Damian got paroled."

So it definitely wasn't what Scott thought. Kevin noticed the look in his eye. "Don't worry. It's easy work, yes but you still get paid more than those suckers gutting chickens at the plant. The boss, Mike, he's really cool. His family treats us right, man. Their daughters are sweethearts. Their oldest son, Seth, he's cool an-"

"But their youngest son, though?" Matt asked with an almost twinkle in his eyes.

A guy in the back a short hair cut and a blue jump suit (pink means 2 years or less to release, blue means more than) spoke up, "I'm not gay. Never have been, never will be but damn it. I'd be gay any day of the week for him."

Another inmate sitting behind Scott laughed, "Austin, you know that makes you gay, right. He's too pretty for a man. Weirds me out when I see him. Like I think he wants to fuck me when I look at him."

Scott rolled his eyes, "no it don't. He can look at another man and tell he's attractive. It's not a crime."

"Tha-"

The guard raised his eyebrow, "and you know how?"

"I'm bi. Have been since I was 13. And your comments was incredibly insensitive." Scott looked behind him.

Avi shook his head, "I'm a straight man. I have principles and morals but....if given the chance....I'd do it."

All the while Kevin shook his head. The inmate behind him laughed, "Preach, don't act like you haven't hit that. Y'all are way too close."

Kevin laughed the most infectious laugh Scott's ever heard and for the first time in what felt like years, he smiled. "No, no, and no. I'm straight. 100%. Never even looked at another man like that. Mitch is just a really good ally. He's got a big heart and he really cares about us. Is he pretty? Yes but I've never ever thought of him in that way."

Being in a prison with only men, Scott kept his sexual orientation to himself. He knew what happened when the guards weren't there. He'd seen things he thought he wouldn't but a man gets tired of masturbating. He had no plans on even looking at another man until he was out and he's wasn't gonna start any time soon. But he was excited to have something or someone nice to look out while out in the sun.